Overcoming Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Acid reflux and heartburn are common digestive conditions. Center for Digestive Diseases provides comprehensive care and advanced solutions for people with acid reflux, heartburn or GERD. The most common symptoms include:

• Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), sometimes spreading to the throat
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Dry cough
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness or sore throat
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux)
• Feeling of “lump” in the throat

The first thing most people try is over-the-counter medication to treat heartburn, reflux and other symptoms of GERD and to control stomach acid. We may recommend other treatments if you don’t experience relief within a few weeks. Other options include prescription-strength medications or surgery. When symptoms occur at least twice each week or interfere with your daily life, you may be diagnosed with GERD. We use the latest diagnostic technology and techniques, including Bravo® pH monitoring, endoscopy, upper GI series X-ray and manometry.

When Medications Don’t Work

Fortunately, most heartburn and acid reflux can be controlled through medications. However, when prescription medications become ineffective, we recommend using a wireless 48-hour pH monitor, a new technology done endoscopically under sedation, where we implant a small monitor in the esophagus. This gives us information about acid reflux on a continuous basis for two days. This technology also helps to diagnose chronic throat irritation and exacerbation of bronchial asthma despite treatment.

If acid reflux persists despite therapy proved by wireless monitor, we may recommend a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure to reinforce and/or strengthen your lower esophageal sphincter and prevent further reflux and control your symptoms.
Frequent acid reflux can lead to esophageal cancer, the fourth-leading cause of cancer. Other people with high risk of esophageal cancer are those with obesity, diabetes, Caucasians and anyone over the age of 50. The good news is that esophageal cancer is preventable by diagnosing a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which happens from chronic acid reflux. When Barrett’s is diagnosed early by endoscopy, it can be monitored periodically for dysplasia, which usually leads to cancer. Once dysplasia develops, it can be eradicated by an advanced endoscopic treatment, which is available in our center.
You don’t have to live with the uncomfortable symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn or GERD. Get more information about diagnosis and treatment by calling us at 908-688-6565 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form.